Ascent Trip Report

We reached the trailhead at the Hairpin Turn and by then it was drizzling. We put our gear on and by the time we started the hike (10am) it was starting to rain. We had our rain jackets from the start and backpack covers. The trip was fairly easy all the way to the Loop trail. It rained often and was wet the whole way. We made it to North Hancock and it was definitely cold at the top, wet, drizzly, and visibility was practically nothing due to being in the clouds. We ate lunch, and then headed to South Hancock and from there continued on to the bottom of the loop. By the time we doubled back on our original path much of the trail at this point was full of larger puddles of water and mud. One area was extremely muddy that it took us a while to navigate just 30 feet. The mud was deep at that point. The rest of the trail was easy though very slippery due to exposed tree roots. We ended the hike safe and completed the 9.8 miles in about 6 hours (included 45 minute breaks for food). We did not expect to see others due to weather conditions but we did run into 10 other hikers.

All in all it was a rewarding hike especially since we almost turned back right at the trailhead. I'm glad we didn't.